Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-04-10
THE BRIDGE SQUABBLE
An Interesting Session OF
the Committee.
G. W. CATTS' DEPOSITION.
Several Sensational scenes during
the Examination Of
Witnesses.

The Kuhrts street bridge matter caihe
up for investigation yesterday before the
special committee, consisting of Messrs
Jones. Breed, Collins and Mayor Work
man. In anticipation of an interesting
session the lobby was filled with curl
ously inclined persons, and inside OF the
rail was the entire City Council, together
with the City Attorney, City Surveyor
and Mr.. Wright, attorney for the San
Francisco Bridge Company, together
with J, e. McMullin, President OF the
same company. The first business was
the reading of the minutes OF the last
meeting, which were approved, and Sec
retary Teed was requested 10 read the
charges as published in the HERALD yes
terday morning, preferred by Mr.. Geo
T, Sttarns and sworn to before Clerk
Mr. Jones said that there had been
connter charges filed, but be did not
think they could come before the com
o;t,ee nnt,l the first matter had been
properly presented;
Mr.. Eaton: l think that the charges
oupht to be re ad as we'll as every thing
pertaning to the bridge. My witnesses
are nr.s.nt and I want them exam
ined. Every thing damaging to any
bodv connected with the matter should
be brought out. ,,,., ~
City Attorney here.
Mr. ZONES: We will wait few mo-
ments.
Here entered the City Attorney.
MIR Jones; Mr.. City Attorney, Mr..
Eaton has presented charges, ana the
question is about having them read
We would like your opinion.
City Attorney l don't think they
ought to be read now. They can be
taken up later. They are on file and
we don't want to mix matters.
Mayor Workman: l move we proceed
with the investigation OF the chargea by
Mr.. Stearns.
Mr.. Breed: 1 don't know why the
charges shot uld not be read.
CITY Attorney: / cid not say they
should not be read, only that they
should not be taken up.
Mr.. Jones: will direct the secretary
to read them, and then the matter can
be determined, whether they will be
taken up or nor.
The charges as published in the HER
AID We're then read, as sworn
to before Mr. Tfed.
Mr.. Jones: What is the pleasure OF
the Counci!?
Mr.. Breed: The City Attorney has
charge of the case anG should taxi
charge of the matter.
CITY Attorney: Don't think that the
other charg4 should be brought up. lam
not the attorney for either.
Mr.. Stearns: Mr.. Williams will act
for me.
Mr.. Williams: I would like to have
time TO answer these charges'-Very
serious charges have been PRE- ferred
We should have time for preparation TO
defend our elves, and ought not 10 De
forced in'o trial to meet the charges Il.
once. We ask time.
The City Attnrnsy: There is no de-
sire to hurry tho matter. The proper
place fer these charges is in the City
Council
Mr.. Jones: 1t is the proper place for
the charges 10 be brought before the
Council, and it should act upon them be-
fore the committee take them up.
City Attorney: The charges don't
state that the matter contained therein
was in connection with the Kuhrts street
bridge.
Mr.. Williams: We ask that certi
fed copy If the charges be served
upon us.
Mr.. Breed: 1 move that we proceed
with Mr.. S earns charges.
The City Attorney called attention to
the fact that the Mayor was one OF the
important witnesses, and there might
be some objection to his being on the
committee.
No objection.
Mr.. Stearns wanted n chair to set by
the City Attorney so that he could post
him. as he was not familiar with the
facts and figures.
Mr. Stearns was then sworn, took the
witness stand and testified:
lam a member of the Council and
member of the Bridge Committee l am
familiar with the transactions OF the
Council in relation to the Khurts street
bridge. The matter came up
Mr.. Wright, interrupting, said he
thought that the matter should be taken
up in the same order that the charges
were made.
The City Attorney said he thought it
was better to proceed in this matter in
the way he stated; to have Mr.. Stearns
state the part taken by Mr.. Eaton and
Mr.. McMullen.
Mr.. Jones: This is not court; we
will allow the fullest latitude.
Mr.. Stearns: The matter was brought
up by the Council. The report of speci-
fications presented to the Council, and
minutes, will show it was adopted. The
estimate made of $l2 500 for the bridge
was accepted by the Council. That is
the only specification on file in the
clerks office. The contract is to. fill
that specification. specifications sent
for.) M Eaton stated at the Cornell that
the bridge could be built for $l2, 500 in.
Gliding approaches. The bridge was
bid for and bids were put in. l never
had conversation with Eaton, Ledbet-
ter or Cats or McMullin. might
have talked with Mr.. Myers an attache
of Mr.. Eaton's office. The bids were
brought in, opened and referred to the
bridge committee, which reported in
favor of Mr.. McMullin's bid. Mr..
Eaton said that he thought it would be a
good bridge, AMI his figure was SIS, $50.
There were no objections to the suffi.
cheney of the specifications. After the
acceptance of the bridge by the com
mittee, the matter arose that the bridge
should not be accepted until the money
was raised. A committee was appointed
to collect the funds. At my suggestion
the City Attorney was authorized to
draw the contract so that we would be
that much time ahead. The contract
had never been in my hands to examine
or look over up to that time. I have
seen the contract since. II was drawn
up in the usual form. After that l was
put on the bridge committee, upon the
resignation of Mr.. Lambie. l asked il
IL Id lool1ad oftar tho ,,loro ,,ort;on